Apparatus for selectively inserting articles into magazines



p 1962 E. E. BARKSTROM 3,054,237

APPARATUS FOR SELECTIVELY INSERTING ARTICLES INTO MAGAZINES Filed April6, 1961 3 Sheets-Sheet l //V VEN 70/? 1? BAR/r5 man A TTORA/f) Sept. 18,1962 E. E. BARKSTROM APPARATUS FOR SELECTIVELY INSERTING ARTICLES INTOMAGAZINES 5 Sheets-Sheet 2 Filed April 6, 1961 no a 11'' 4 w a g2? ,4 J

INVENTOR f. A BARASTROM "one. ATTORNEY- Sept. 18, 1962 E. E. BARKSTROMAPPARATUS FOR SELECTIVELY INSERTING ARTICLES INTO MAGAZINES Filed April6, 1961 I5 Sheets-Sheet 5 Ml VfA/TOR 5 4 R/rs TROM United States PatentQ 3,054,237 APPARATUS FQR SELECTEVELY INSERTING ARTICLES INTO MAGAZINESElmer E. Barkstrom, Chicago, 111., assignor to Western Electric Company,Incorporated, a corporation of New York Filed Apr. 6, 1961, Ser. No.101,291

Claims. (Cl. 53-246) This invention relates to apparatus for selectivelyinserting articles into magazines, and more particularly to mechanismfor feeding articles into magazines in selectively spaced relation toone another.

An object of the present invention is to provide an im proved apparatusfor selectively inserting articles into magazines.

Another object of the invention is the provision in a magazine loadingapparatus of mechanism for feeding articles into a magazine inselectively spaced relation to one another.

With these and other objects in view, the invention contemplates theprovision of a magazine having a pinrality of uniformly spaced recessesfor receiving articles therein and a carrier mounted for verticalmovement for supporting the magazine for movement therewith. Thearticles are supported on a horizontal track and are advanced step bystep along the track and into the magazine by a feed mechanism includinga reciprocable feed bar and a plurality of feed pawls thereon. A leveris supported pivotally intermediate its ends on a movable fulcrum memberand is actuated by the feed bar to index the carrier and the magazine.

Mechanism is provided for shifting the fulcrum memher to two positionsrelative to the lever and to a supporting frame so that when the fulcrumis in a first position, the lever is rocked about an axis through thefulcrum member by the reciprocating feed bar to index the car rier andthe magazine through a first distance to align successive recesses ofthe magazine with the tracks to receive the articles. With the fulcrummember in the second position the lever is actuated by the feed bar toindex the carrier and the magazine through a second distance equal totwice the first distance to align alternate recesses of the magazinewith the tracks to receive articles of a different type and size.

Other objects, advantages and novel aspects of the invention will becomeapparent upon consideration of the following detailed description, inconjunction with the accompanying drawings, in which:

FIG. 1 is a fragmentary side view of an apparatus for inserting articlesinto magazines embodying the present invention;

FIG. 2. is an enlarged vertical cross sectional view of the apparatustaken on the line 2--2 of FIG. 1;

FIGS. 3 and 4 are enlarged fragmentary side views of the apparatusshowing the indexing lever with a shiftable fulcrum member therefor indifferent positions;

FIG. 5 is a fragmentary plan view of the apparatus; and

FIGS. 6 and 7 are fragmentary elevational views of magazines with twodifferent types of articles therein in differently spaced relation toone another.

The present loading apparatus which is an improvement of the articleloading apparatus disclosed in E. W. Larsen et al. Patent 2,846,832comprises an elongated magazine.

of 'U-shaped cross section (FIGS. 1 and 5 to 7) having a plurality ofuniformly spaced parallel slots 16 in the side Walls 17 thereof forreceiving and supporting articles 20 therein in spaced relation to eachother. The magazine 15 is releasably supported in a carrier 22 that isguided for vertical movement in a loading station by a plurality ofrollers 24 which are mounted on a frame 25 Patented Sept. 18, 1962distance corresponding to the spacing between the slots 16 of themagazine 15 is fixed to and forms a part of the carrier 22.

As shown herein (FIGS. 5 to 7) the articles 20 are in the form of wirespring relay components each com prising a row of wires 32 secured infixed and spaced relation to each other in molded blocks 33 ofdielectric material. The articles Zti are of different types, the wires32 of one type (FIG. 6) being straight and the article being of suchsize that they may be supported in successive slots 16 in the magazine.In a second type of articles (FIG. 7) the wires 32 thereof havelaterally disposed end portions 34 which project from the Wires to suchan extent as precludes the loading of the articles into successive slotsof the magazine and necessitate the loading of these ar ticles intoalternate slots 16 in the magazine in order to avoid interferencebetween articles.

Upon leaving a fabricating machine (not shown) the articles 20 aresupported on a horizontal track 37 and advanced therealong step by stepby a plurality of feed pawls 38 mounted on a reciprocatory feed bar 39of an article feeding mechanism of the type disclosed in Rasmussen eta1. Patent 2,861,676. The feed bar 39 is supported in a stationary frame40 and is actuated by suitable means including a lever 42.

Mechanism is provided for indexing the carrier 22 and the magazine 15step by step upwardly in timed relation to the reciprocation of the feedbar 38 and to the transfer of successive articles 20 from the track 37to the magazine 15. This indexing mechanism includes a lever 46 which ismounted on an adjustable fulcrum member 47 for pivotal movement about anaxis through the fulcrum member. a A feed pawl 48 is slidably mounted atone end of the lever 46 and is spring urged into engagement with theteeth 29 of the ratchet bar 28. At its other end, the lever 46 carries aroller 49 that engages a cam 50 on the feed bar 39, the cam cooperatingwith a spring 51 to rock the lever 46 and impart successive indexingmovements to the carrier 22 and the magazine 15 in response toreciprocation of the feed bar 39. The carrier 22 is held againstdownward movement by a pawl 53 which is supported on a fixed pivot pin52and is urged by a spring 54 into engagement with the teeth 29 of theratchet bar 28.

The fulcrum member 47 extends transversely through an arcuate slot 55inthe lever. 46 and is supported for movement therein relative to thelever 46 and to the frame 40 between first and second operativepositions indicated in FIGS. 3 and 4. A pivot pin 56 extending through abore 57 in the fulcrum member 47 is supported in the arms 58 of a yokemember 59 and supports the fulcrum member 47 and the lever 46 thereonfor pivotal movement about the aforementioned axis through the fulcrummember. The yoke 59 is supported'on a pivot pin 61 secured to the frame40 for pivotal movement thereon and has a handle 63 extending upwardlyfrom one of the arms 58 by means of which the yoke 59 and the fulcrummember 47 is shifted between the first and second operative positions(FIGS. 3 and 4). A spring pressed detent 64 (FIG. 2) on the'handle 63cooperates with a pair of recesses 65 in the frame member 40 toreleasably hold the yoke 59 and the fulcrum member 47 in either of theoperative positions with respect to the frame member 40.

, The lever 46 is supported on the fulcrum member 47 against movementthereon parallel to the axis of the pivot pin 56 by flanges 68 of thefulcrum member 47 on one side of the lever and by a spacing collar 69 onthe other.

side thereof. A detent 70 secured to one end of a leaf 3 spring 71extends through an aperture in the flange 68 and cooperates with a pairof recesses 73 in the lever 46 to releasably secure the fulcrum member47 to the lever in either of the operative positions of the fulcrummember. The spring 71 is secured at its other end 74 to the fulcrummember 47.

It will be understood that as the feed bar 39 reciprocates, the cam 50thereon actuates the cam follower 49 on the lever 46 through apredetermined distance and rocks the lever and the fulcrum member 47about the pivot pin 56. When the fulcrum member is set in the positionshown in FIG. 3, the feed pawl 48 of the lever 46 is oscillated througha short stroke to etfect the indexing of the carrier 22 and the magazine15 through a short distance equal to the lentgh of one tooth 29 of theratchet bar 28 to position successive slots 16 of the magazine in thepath of travel of the articles 20 on the track 37 for receiving articles20 of the first type therein (FIG. 6).

When the fulcrum member 47 is set in the position shown in FIG. 4, thelever 46 is supported thereby so that in response to actuation by thecam 50 on the feed bar 39, the feed pawl 48 on the lever is oscillatedthrough a longer stroke to effect the indexing of the carrier 22 and themagazine 15 through a distance equal to the length of two teeth 29 ofthe ratchet bar 28 so as to position alternate slots 16 of the magazine15 in the path of movement of the articles on the track 37 for receivingarticles of the second type therein (FIG. 7).

To facilitate the shifting of the fulcrum member 47 from one position toanother, a holding pin 78 is slidably mounted on the lever 46 formovement into a recess 79 in a boss 80 on the frame member 40 to holdthe lever 46 against movement. The shank of the holding pin 78 issupported in a bore 81 in the lever 46 and has a shoulder 82intermediate its ends which is slidable in a counterbore 83 formed in aboss 84 extending laterally from the lever into close proximity to theboss 80. A spring 85 interposed between the shoulder 82 and the end ofthe counterbore urges the holding pin 78 to a normally retractedposition with the end thereof disengaged from the recess 79 in the boss80.

When it is desired to change the position of the fulcrum, the operatorpresses the holding pin 78 into the recess 79 to hold the levertemporarily against movement. The detents 64 and 70 are then retractedby the operator to release the yoke 59 and the fulcrum member 47 formovement relative to the lever 46 and the frame 40, after which theoperator engages the handle 63 and shifts the yoke from one operativeposition to the other. On completion of the shifting of the yoke to thedesired position, the detents 64 and 70, respectively, serve to lock theyoke 59 to the frame 40 and the fulcrum member 47 to the lever in theselected position. The holding pin 78 is then released and returns toits normal retracted position disengaged from the recess 79, and theindexing mechanism is in condition to index the carrier 22 and themagazine 15 through the selected distance.

It is to be understood that the above-described arrangements are simplyillustrative of the application of the principles of this invention.Numerous other arrangements may be readily devised by those skilled inthe art which will embody the principles of the invention and fallwithin the spirit and scope thereof.

What is claimed is:

1. In an apparatus for feeding articles into a magazine having aplurality of equally spaced recesses for receiving the articles, meansincluding a reciprocatory feed bar for intermittently advancing a row ofsaid articles along a first path and inserting the endmost article intorecesses in the magazine, means for guiding said magazine for movementalong a second path transversely of said first path, means including alever actuated by said feed bar for moving said magazine step by stepalong said second path to align successive recesses of said magazinewith said first path for receiving the articles, a fulcrum membermounted on said lever for movement to a first position and to a secondposition on said lever and for supporting said lever for pivotalmovement about an axis through said fulcrum member, means for shiftingsaid fulcrum member to and from said first and said second positions onsaid lever without moving said lever, and means for supporting saidfulcrum member in said first and said second positions for pivotalmovement about said axis, said lever being operable With the fulcrummember in said first position thereon to etfect the indexing movement ofthe magazine through a first distance and the alignment of successiverecesses of the magazine with said first path and being operable withthe fulcrum member in said second position thereon to etfect theindexing movement of the magazine through a second distance equal to amultiple of said first distance.

2. An apparatus for feeding articles into a magazine having a pluralityof equally spaced recesses for receiving the articles comprisingmounting means, rails on said mounting means for supporting the articlesfor movement along a horizontal path, a carrier mounted for verticalmovement on said mounting means for supporting said magazine formovement therewith in the path of movement of the articles, meansincluding a reciprocatory feed bar for intermittently advancing thearticles step by step on said rail and inserting the endmost articleinto the recesses of said magazine, a lever, a fulcrum member mounted onsaid lever intermediate the extremities thereof for movement thereon toa first position and to a second position, a ratchet bar mounted on saidcarrier, a feed pawl mounted on one end of said lever and engageablewith said ratchet bar, means on said feed bar engaging the other end ofsaid lever for effecting the oscillation of said other end of the leverthrough a predetermined distance about an axis through said fulcrummember, a supporting member having means for supporting said fulcrummember for pivotal movement about said axis, means for mounting saidsupporting member on said mounting means for movement to a pair ofpositions for supporting said fulcrum member in said first and saidsecond positions on said lever and to guide said supporting member formovement from one to the other of said pair of positions without movingsaid lever, and means for moving said supporting member to shift saidfulcrum member to and from said first and said second positions on saidlever, said lever being operable with the fulcrum member in said firstposition thereon to effect the indexing movement of the magazine througha predetermined short distance and the alignment of successive recessesof the magazine with the horizontal path of movement of the articles andbeing operable with the fulcrum member in said second position thereonto eifect the indexing movement of the magazine through a predeterminedlong distance and the alignment of alter nate recesses of the magazinewith said path of movement of the article.

3. An apparatus as defined in claim 2 and including means on said levercooperable with said mounting means for holding said lever againstmovement during the shifting of said fulcrum member from one position toanother.

4. An apparatus as defined in claim 2 and including means for releasablyholding said supporting member in each of said pair of positions on saidmounting means, and means for releasably holding said fulcrum member insaid first and said second positions on said lever.

5. In an apparatus for feeding articles into a magazine having aplurality of equally spaced recesses for receiving the articles,mounting means, means on said mounting means for supporting said partsfor movement along a horizontal path, a carrier mounted for verticalmovement on said mounting means for supporting said magazine formovement therewith in the path of movement of the articles, meansincluding a reciprocatory feed bar for intermittently advancing thearticles step by step along said horizontal path and inserting theendmost article into the recesses of said magazine, a lever having aslot therein intermediate the extremities of the lever, a fulcrum membermounted slidably on said lever in said slot for movement to a firstposition and to a second position for supporting said lever foroscillatory movement about an axis through said fulcrum member, aratchet bar mounted on said carrier, a feed pawl mounted on one end ofsaid lever and engageable with said ratchet bar, means on said feed barengaging the other end of said lever for effecting the oscillation ofsaid other end of the lever about said axis through said fulcrum member,a yoke having means for supporting said fulcrum member and said leverthereon for pivotal movement about said axis, means for mounting saidyoke on said mounting means for movement to a pair of positions tosupport said fulcrum member in said first and said second positions andto guide said supporting member for movement from one to the other ofsaid pair of positions without moving said lever, means for moving 20said supporting member to shift the fulcrum member to and from saidfirst and said second positions, means on said lever cooperable Withsaid mounting means for holding said lever against movement during theshifting of said fulcrum member from one position to another, means forreleasably holding said supporting member in each of said pair ofpositions on said mounting means, and means for releasably holding saidfulcrum member in said first and said second positions on said lever,said lever being operable with said fulcrum member in said firstposition thereon to effect the indexing movement of the magazine throughone distance and the alignment of successive recesses of the magazinewith the path of movement of the articles and being operable with thefulcrum member in said second position thereon to effect the indexingmovement of the magazine through another distance and the alignment ofalternate recesses of the magazine with the path of said articles.

References Cited in the file of this patent UNITED STATES PATENTS

